The hospital was closed in September. Wellmont Health System officials cited reimbursement cuts associated with the Affordable Care Act, trouble retaining doctors, and a lack of community use as reasons for the closure.

News 5 has learned, the county requested Wellmont donate the Pennington Gap property to the Industrial Development Authority by the end of March.

IDA Director Michael James tells us the building has very little value for any purpose other than a medical facility.

Wellmont issued a statement which says it plans to review the request carefully, but there is no timetable for a decision at this time.